War of the Worlds returns to MEN Arena

Sep 29 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

JEFF Wayne’s musical version of The War of The Worlds returns to the MEN Arena in Manchester on June 13 next year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album’s release.

Tickets, priced £41.50 and £55, go on sale 9am this Friday, October 3.

This year’s show features Jeff Wayne conducting The Black Smoke Band and The ULLAdubULLA Strings alongside Moody Blues Justin Hayward, Manfred Mann’s Chris Thompson and TV, music and theatre sensation Jennifer Ellison.

The actors will be joined on stage by a 35 foot tall Martian fighting machine, an 11 feet high 3D photo-real hologram of Richard Burton, 100 foot wide video screens and other new stunning effects for 2009.

Since its original release in June of 1978, Jeff Wayne’s War of The Worlds has grown into a true classic, attracting a new generation of devoted followers while still inspiring the faithful listeners from the past decades.

Inspired by the HG Wells novel, the album features a compelling blend of prog rock and classical and literary influences, coupled with a spell-binding narrative performance from Richard Burton as The Journalist.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Jeff Wayne’s multi-platinum album, a special limited edition box-set of 2006’s debut UK arena tour is to be released shortly.

Tickets may be subject to a booking fee and are available via the 24 Hour Ticketmaster Hotline 0844 847 8000; to personal callers from the MEN Arena Box Office (10am-6pm: Mon-Sat); via post (send sae & cheque payable to SMG UK Ltd) ; via e-ticket centres at selected zavvi stores (formerly Virgin Megastores) and via the venue’s official website men-arena.com Special Needs Ticketline 0161 950 5229 (10am-5pm: Mon-Fri). Group Bookings: 0870 169 6888.